Community-driven user profiles on Invision

[jeffinj]

I just read that Invision has redone their profile pages to give it a myspace lite look. (Community-driven user profile)
Isnt it time vB offer such solutions? I know that we've been discussing this a lot, but are there any updates on this issue from the vb staff?

[Dilly]

Please no.

[jeffinj]

Please no.

May I ask you why?

[ManagerJosh]

I think some community functionality is definitely needed, however I simply disagree with the approach IPB has taken. It seems to have followed the trends of MySpace and I personally feel MySpace is one of the worst forms of community driven functionality. Cluttered, disorganized, and utter chaos.

I prefer something along the lines of Facebook . Concepts are sound, well rounded, and a lot more well developed.

[Booth]

What is facebook?

I've got to say that the current profiles aren't very good and don't get used much on my site.

I trialled phpfox for 3 months and everyone loved the profiles but hated the forums...

Now if we could just have both

[Caiman]

I don't know if we risk turning the software into something that is trying hard to... be something it isn't. Though I'm sure people said the same at the integration of calenders and so on into vBulletin. Social Networking, and MySpace like profiles... don't work for everyone. If it gets built in as a fully optional and scalable function then I won't say no, but I can help but think having more and more superfluous functionallity will affect those of us who won't use it by driving up the cost.

[Floris]

Gosh, that profile page is bloated, very confusing.

[Wayne Luke]

I have seen some really good template only changes at vBulletin.org that help achieve this. Add in some custom fields and template conditionals and you can do this with the tools provided out of the box.

[yellow_spider]

As both a VB and IPB owner, i just thought id throw my bit in too.

The profile system can be switched off via the ACP (so it reverts to classic view as per IPB 2.1.x series) ... The "add a comment" can be set (its an option in everyones user cp) to not automatically add new comments. The rate member can be switched off in the ACP too.

The biggest issue i have heard people on about with 2.2 is the fact that your friends list (same as VB buddies) is displayed on the new style profile for all to see. Some people see this as some kind of privacy issue. And to be honest, i agree.

Footnote... My IPB board still runs the 2.1 series and i am very reluctant to move it to 2.2, to be honest i may convert this to VB and use the IPB license for something else...

[Terminatoronly]

As both a VB and IPB owner, i just thought id throw my bit in too.

The profile system can be switched off via the ACP (so it reverts to classic view as per IPB 2.1.x series) ... The "add a comment" can be set (its an option in everyones user cp) to not automatically add new comments. The rate member can be switched off in the ACP too.

The biggest issue i have heard people on about with 2.2 is the fact that your friends list (same as VB buddies) is displayed on the new style profile for all to see. Some people see this as some kind of privacy issue. And to be honest, i agree.

Footnote... My IPB board still runs the 2.1 series and i am very reluctant to move it to 2.2, to be honest i may convert this to VB and use the IPB license for something else...

Well To Be Honest With You All i made a poll in my site requesting from members to suggest which forum software they do like between payed softwares (vBulletin Or IPB).

most of them selected IPB we was using VB that time they said we are webmasters and we know vb has a great features but some bad things about vb:
1- They Update Bugs late. (they said about the security bug in the vb 3.6.4)

2- VB Release Many versions in same year.

3- the look of vb really good but the new look of ipb much better attract members.

4- about the styles of the vb u will need about 200$ for vb license and for styles i do agree with them i dont like all of the free styles and all the great styles are for sale so that will cost me more as a webmaster i will pay (Hosting + VB License + Styles). (No One Likes the default style of vb not my oponion but i always ask my members about there oponions).

5- they told me that the ipb will fit my needs for my forum because it has all the features that i need in my forum.

Sorry For That But Its Just My Oponion And My Members Too And As Webmasters We All Need To Attract Members but how can we do it if they dont like our board??

i am not saying anything about vBulletin since i am a license owner i use this software but as a client i have to suggest the best for this product.

[Onimua]

Well To Be Honest With You All i made a poll in my site requesting from members to suggest which forum software they do like between payed softwares (vBulletin Or IPB).

most of them selected IPB we was using VB that time they said we are webmasters and we know vb has a great features but some bad things about vb:
1- They Update Bugs late. (they said about the security bug in the vb 3.6.4)

2- VB Release Many versions in same year.

3- the look of vb really good but the new look of ipb much better attract members.

4- about the styles of the vb u will need about 200$ for vb license and for styles i do agree with them i dont like all of the free styles and all the great styles are for sale so that will cost me more as a webmaster i will pay (Hosting + VB License + Styles). (No One Likes the default style of vb not my oponion but i always ask my members about there oponions).

5- they told me that the ipb will fit my needs for my forum because it has all the features that i need in my forum.

Sorry For That But Its Just My Oponion And My Members Too And As Webmasters We All Need To Attract Members but how can we do it if they dont like our board??

i am not saying anything about vBulletin since i am a license owner i use this software but as a client i have to suggest the best for this product.

1. What do you mean update bugs late? You're talking about security... whenever a security breach is found, Jelsoft releases a patch in 24 hours or less... how is that late? As for bugs, there is a rare time when you fine bugs that cause you problems, and they are almost always fixed with every minor release.

2. What would you consider many releases in the same year? Almost all software of any kind releases many versions a year... and most of what is released for vBulletin are maintenance releases with the occasional security patch.

3. You are aware that you can custimize vBulletin to look the way you want? The template and CSS is very easy to use... the only downside is you need some knowledge of HTML/CSS in order to do anything. Then again, you can get a style from somewhere.

4. Ask your members to pitch in or something? If they feel strong enough about their community that they are with, they will help out one way or another...

5. Only you can know if the forum software you use will suit your needs for a forum. If your members wish to request for extra features/content, they will need to specify what they want so you can know what you're looking for.

[Floris]

1.

Usually within a few hours there's a confirmation via a patch free for download to everybody, and an upgrade for licensed customers who's license has permission to download newer versions.

[---MAD---]

Well To Be Honest With You All i made a poll in my site requesting from members to suggest which forum software they do like between payed softwares (vBulletin Or IPB).

most of them selected IPB we was using VB that time they said we are webmasters and we know vb has a great features but some bad things about vb:
1- They Update Bugs late. (they said about the security bug in the vb 3.6.4)

2- VB Release Many versions in same year.

3- the look of vb really good but the new look of ipb much better attract members.

4- about the styles of the vb u will need about 200$ for vb license and for styles i do agree with them i dont like all of the free styles and all the great styles are for sale so that will cost me more as a webmaster i will pay (Hosting + VB License + Styles). (No One Likes the default style of vb not my oponion but i always ask my members about there oponions).

5- they told me that the ipb will fit my needs for my forum because it has all the features that i need in my forum.

Sorry For That But Its Just My Oponion And My Members Too And As Webmasters We All Need To Attract Members but how can we do it if they dont like our board??

i am not saying anything about vBulletin since i am a license owner i use this software but as a client i have to suggest the best for this product.

I completely disagree with your points.

[Terminatoronly]

i did convert right now to vbulletin 3.6.5

[KrON]

I have seen some really good template only changes at vBulletin.org that help achieve this. Add in some custom fields and template conditionals and you can do this with the tools provided out of the box.

You don't happen to have any links handy, do you?